Anna Pence and other Walmart supporters wave fans handed out by Walmart to show support for the project at the June 26, 2012, Atascadero City Council meeting. Later in the evening, the council approved the project. jjohnston@thetribunenews.com

Anna Pence and other Walmart supporters wave fans handed out by Walmart to show support for the project at the June 26, 2012, Atascadero City Council meeting. Later in the evening, the council approved the project. jjohnston@thetribunenews.com

Save Atascadero group appeals judge's ruling on Walmart

Citizens group Save Atascadero has appealed a judge’s decision earlier this year that said the city of Atascadero didn’t violate environmental laws when it approved construction of a Walmart shopping center for the north end of town.

City officials received notice of the appeal Tuesday, according to a statement from the city.

Before the lawsuit, Walmart was slated to open in Atascadero as early as 2014. City leaders have previously said litigation is expected to further delay construction of the store, possibly by several years.

Last summer, the citizens group, spearheaded by residents Tom Comar and Lee Perkins, filed a lawsuit to stop Walmart and an adjacent shopping center from being built so further study of their impacts to roads and air quality could be done. On June 10, 2013, San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Jac Crawford ruled in favor of the city after a trial at the court's Paso Robles branch.

Never miss a local story.

Sign up today for unlimited digital access to our website, apps, the digital newspaper and more.